CVE-2010-5278 in Revolution
Summary
by MITRE
Directory traversal vulnerability in manager/controllers/default/resource/tvs.php in MODx Revolution 2.0.2-pl, and possibly earlier, when magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, allows remote attackers to read arbitrary files via a .. (dot dot) in the class_key parameter. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-5278 represents a critical directory traversal flaw within the MODx Revolution content management system version 2.0.2-pl and potentially earlier releases. This security weakness exists in the resource management controller component specifically within the tvs.php file located at manager/controllers/default/resource/tvs.php. The flaw emerges when the PHP configuration parameter magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, creating an environment where malicious input can be processed without proper sanitization mechanisms. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to access arbitrary files on the server by exploiting a simple directory traversal sequence using the .. (dot dot) notation within the class_key parameter. This directory traversal capability allows attackers to navigate beyond the intended directory structure and potentially access sensitive system files, configuration data, or other restricted resources that should not be publicly accessible.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and sanitization within the MODx application's resource handling logic. When magic_quotes_gpc is disabled, PHP does not automatically escape special characters in GET, POST, and COOKIE data, leaving the application susceptible to malicious input injection. The class_key parameter in the tvs.php controller fails to properly validate or sanitize user-supplied input, allowing an attacker to craft requests containing directory traversal sequences that manipulate the file system path resolution. This flaw directly maps to CWE-22, which defines the weakness of Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory, commonly known as directory traversal or path traversal attacks. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper file access controls that should be implemented at multiple layers of application security.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-5278 extends beyond simple information disclosure, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to read sensitive files such as database configuration files, user credential stores, application source code, and system configuration files that may contain passwords or encryption keys. In the context of the ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability corresponds to techniques such as T1083 (File and Directory Discovery) and T1566 (Phishing with Malicious Attachment) where attackers might use information obtained through directory traversal to craft more sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability also aligns with T1213 (Data from Information Repositories) as it enables unauthorized access to stored data within the application's file system. Organizations running affected MODx versions face significant risk of data breaches, unauthorized access to backend systems, and potential complete system compromise if attackers can leverage this vulnerability to escalate privileges or gain shell access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-5278 should focus on both immediate patching and defensive measures. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of MODx Revolution that addresses this directory traversal vulnerability in the tvs.php controller. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms, ensuring that all user-supplied parameters are rigorously validated before being processed. The configuration of magic_quotes_gpc should be carefully reviewed, and if possible, enabled as an additional defense-in-depth measure, though this is not a complete solution given that it's deprecated in modern PHP versions. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls should be configured to detect and block suspicious directory traversal patterns in URL parameters. Additionally, implementing proper access controls and principle of least privilege for file system access can limit the damage even if the vulnerability is exploited. Regular security audits and code reviews should be conducted to identify similar input validation weaknesses in other components of the application, as this vulnerability represents a broader class of issues that can affect content management systems and web applications that fail to properly validate user input before using it in file system operations.